Association of the Monasteries of Nuns of the Order of Preachers in North America Records

The Association of the Monasteries of Nuns of the Order of Preachers in the United States of America, Inc. is the successor organization to the Conference of Nuns of the Order of Preachers, U.S.A. On September 14, 2000, Prefect Eduardo Card. Martínez Somalo wrote to Conference President Mother Catherine Mary, indicating that "Conference" was not a canonically appointed body, and recommended that the member monasteries form a Federation or Association. On May 27, 2006, The Association of Nuns was canonically recognized by the Vatican. Composed of ten member monasteries, its purpose "is to foster the monastic, contemplative life of the member Monasteries in the spirit of St. Dominic, and at the same time to support and strengthen the spirit of cooperation and communion among them" (Statutes and Directory. Association of the Monasteries of Nuns of the Order of Preachers in the United States of America, Inc. Records I. Mary Nona McGreal, OP Center for Dominican Historical Studies.)

The Association sponsors such programs as the Monastic Theological Studies, the Novice Mistresses' Meetings, the Ongoing Formation Program, and the Theological Formation Program, and publishes the Association Sharings newsletter twice a year. The Association also holds a general assembly every four years, in which the Association Council is elected, new projects and plans are approved and existing ones approved, annual dues are determined, and temporary and standing committees are established.